American Dramatists Series 






v 




Gopight N° 



CfiHOUGHT DEPOSIT 



American Dramatists Series 



THE CROWNING 



A Playin Four Acts 



WILLIAM WILEY SCOTT 







BOSTON 
THE GORHAM PRESS 

MCMXVIII 



Copyright, 1919, by William W. Scott 
All Rights Reserved 






Made in the United States of America 
The Gorham Press, Boston, U.S.A. 



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v. 

'Ci.D 52797 



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ANNOUNCEMENT 

The soul of man was never created. It has an 
existence without a beginning, is indestructible, and 
will exist forever. Its dwelling abode, the body, 
alone was created. The soul of man was dwelling 
in the realms of Peace before it entered this abode. 

Peace sues in the temporal courts for her right 
to rule the soul of man, basing her title upon pre- 
temporal sovereignty. 

All war has its inception in an unscrupulous few 
agitating public opinion. Peace alleges, in the Court 
of Public Opinion, that the soul of man is her sub- 
ject, was pure and peaceful when it entered the 
world, and that she has a right to set up her king- 
dom here and rule over it. She is opposed at court 
by Greed and others, who deny her authority. She 
further alleges that the soul is peaceable in its orig- 
inality, but its nature is contaminated by temporal 
affairs and is thus set at strife. 

In the trial court Reason incurs the displeasure 
of the Court, and is thrown into prison and Peace 
loses her suit. 

Though placed in chains. Peace, at the second 
term of court, renews her suit. 

At this time Lie comes into the Court of Public 
Opinion and demands war, stating the country is 
threatened by an enemy. Greed demands the head 
of Reason and war is declared. 



4 ANNOUNCEMENT 

Thus is shown the great danger of the hasty de- 
cisions of the Court of Public Opinion. 

Here is where "Honest Toil" gets a hand in war. 
He knows little or nothing of the issues, but meekly 
says "I obey" — and obeys. He calls the sons of 
Toil together and sets them to killing each other. 

So long as Toil is willing to have his sons kill 
each other there will be war. Human nature can- 
not be changed. Build a thousand Hagues and fill 
them with a thousand theories and you will yet 
have the same old Jealousy and the same old Greed 
among pampered rulers of nations, who want to 
even up old scores and forcibly take that which be- 
longs to another, and as long as Toil will do the 
fighting there will be war. 

In Toil, and in Toil alone, rests the solution of 
war. When Honest Toil wakes up to the full 
realization of this horror of horrors, wakes up to 
the fact that he is but the tool of Greed and Jeal- 
ousy, he will stamp out war and stamp it out for- 
ever. 

"The Crowning's" effort is to show the toilers 
their position in war, and to help them take a stand 
on the side of Peace. 

Ninety per cent of the earth's peoples are toilers. 
While yet of different lands and different tongues, 
they are toilers just the same. In the toiler lies 
all power. When he will have put his seal of dis- 
approval upon war it will be a thing of history, and 
the world will be at peace. For this and other 
great purposes Honest Toil is fast mustering his 
sons under one united banner. During the last 
twenty- five years there has been a greater growth 



ANNOUNCEMENT 5 

of unionism than in all the previous history of man- 
kind. This but points to the time which must 
come within the next quarter of a century, when it 
will be as impossible for any nation to start war 
as it would be for it to grapple the planets from 
the firmament. Why? Because Honest Toil will 
have broken the chains from the hands of Peace 
and seated her upon the throne of the human heat. 

Author. 



THE PLOT 

ACT I 

Peace sues in the Court of Public Opinion for 
the right to rule man. 

Her suit is opposed by Greed and others. 

Peace brings up as her witnesses Love, Mercy, 
Honor and Reason. 

Greed brings to his aid Avarice, Jealousy, blander 
and Lie. 

Peace loses her suit and is ordered placed in chains 

by the Court. , ^ . • j 

Reason criticises the Court of Public Opinion and 
is ordered thrown into a dungeon with the sentence 
of death over his head. 

ACTH 

Peace renews her suit in the Court of Public 

Opinion. . , 

She is again opposed by the same parties,— Cjreed 

and others. . 

Greed's counsel sways the Court against Feace, 
and the Court grants an application for war. 

Reason is beheaded, and the Court declares war 
over his bleeding head. ^ 

Honest Toil is ordered to gather his sons and 
proceed to battle. 



THE PLOT 



ACT III 

The battle Is raging, when Peace enters the field 
and pleads with Honest Toil to stop his sons from 
slaying each other. The wreck of war is shown on 
the battlefield. The Red Cross is seen removing 
the dead and wounded. The little daughter of 
Reason persuades Toil to stop the war. 

ACT IV 

Greed and Avarice discuss the results of war In 
their private room. The Court convenes and Peace 
wins her suit to the throne in the heart of man. 

Toil breaks the bonds that bind Peace and crowns 
her In the heart of man. 

The sons of Toil disarm. 



Order of Appearance of the Characters 

1 Avarice i Peace 

2 Greed 2 Honor 

3 Jealousy 3 Love 

4 Slander 4 Mercy 

5 Lie 5 Reason 



THE CROWNING 

ACT I 

Stage Setting 

Time — Present. 

Place — Public Hall or High Court Room. 

His Majesty, the High Court of Public Opin- 
ion, occupies a throne, above which, in crescent 
form, effected by electric lighting device, are writ- 
ten the words — "Throne of Power," — beneath 
which are written the words — "Public Opinion." 

The stage in this act portrays a hall of justice, 
or the Court Room. The Court's seat is upon an 
elevated throne or platform, around which runs a 
railing or "bar." To the immediate left and slight- 
ly forward of the throne, outside the railing, is 
placed a book table, at the outside of which are five 
chairs facing the throne. At the back and above 
each seat is a banner with the respective speakers' 
names inscribed thereon. 

Same arrangement of chairs and tables on the 
right. A space of two feet should separate the table 
and the railing of the throne. A few law books are 
placed on the table to the left; a single book — the 
Bible — on the table to the right. 

In front and slightly to the right, on a lower 
II 



12 THE CROWNING . . 

elevation, is placed the snow-white seat of this con- 
troversy — the throne of the human heart. This 
seat is perfectly white, formed in the shape of and 
representing a heart. 

The stage is lighted brilliantly. The curtain 
rises to low, plaintive music, which ceases as the 
first speaker arises to address the Court. The Court 
and all characters are seated in the following order, 
beginning nearest the throne, when the curtain rises. 
On the Left — ^Avarice, Greed, Jealousy, Slander 
and Lie. 

On the Right — Peace, Honor, Love, Mercy and 
Reason. 
Dress — 

Avarice is dressed in golden brown. 

Greed is dressed in yellow, with large dollar 

($) marks all over his clothing. 
Jealousy is dressed in green. 
Slander is dressed in lavender. 
Lie is dressed in black. 
Avarice, Greed and Lie are represented by male 
characters. 

Jealousy and Slander by female. 
Dress — 

Peace is dressed in white. 
Honor in blue. 
Mercy in cream. 
Love in cream and white. 
Reason in scarlet. 
Peace, Mercy and Love are represented by fe- 
male characters. 

Honor and Reason, by male. 

At either side of the Court stands an orderly 



ACT I 13 

or "courtier." These are dressed in the customary 
court dress. They stand at attention with staff in 
hand. 

The hairdress of all above characters should be 
white or gray, producing antique effect. 

Each speaker arises when addressing the Court 
and remains standing until answered by opposite 
speaker, and then resumes his seat only when the 
opposite speaker is through speaking and the weight 
of his argument seems to bear him back to his seat 
as the third speaker arises to his defense. 

All dialogue should be pronounced in a clear, 
emphatic tone, not too rapidly except for emphasis. 

Reason. ''In the holy name of Peace, this queen 
of queens, Oh venerable Court of Public Opinion, 
we pray thee establish her at rule in the heart of 
man." 

Greed. "Thy Supreme Highness, the Royal 
Court of Public Opinion, we pray Thy Authority 
establish not at government over the heart of man 
a ruler whose title bears not the Great Seal of 
our Ancient Creeds." 

Avarice. "And I, too, would hear the testament 
of this usurper who would threat our sweet and 
ancient custom to worship at the throne of Power." 

Peace. "Calm thyself. Greed ; Avarice, thy con- 
science ill bestirs thee. Ancient Authority to rule 
that which in man is immortal? And my title to 
that seat (pointing to seat) thou wouldst call to 
question? Then thou wouldst call to question my 
very own! Ancient Authority, speakest thou; Ay! 
thou faileth in whole to grasp a part in understand- 
ing. Ere the soul of man was called to these vul- 



14 THE CROWNING 

gar limits which so pleaseth thee to call 'Time,' 
these spirits were of me and commanded by my 
gentle guide. Ay! my title wouldst thou deny? 
Deny then the morn to the day, and heritage her 
own acclaimed possessions. Before the worlds were 
was I, my sovereignty their heritage. Sweetly sang 
they to harmonious chords, ere, through the portals 
of flesh, on natal morn, they mis-wandered into the 
realms of Time. Deniest thou their purity when 
first they crossed the threshold of Time, then mayst 
thou deny my right to rule. It is the corroding 
touch of Time that soils the purity of the soul, and 
fills it with poisons and venom. In Time's realm 
the soul lingers but a moment, sickens and returns. 
Yet with it still my right it is, I crave to be. Of 
better ease would I make its journey; ay, smooth the 
way of return. To thee, O Power, we carry our 
petition to rule these whom are but our own. They 
we would yet guide in the pleasant paths as of 
yore, before the worlds were young. As of all 
they are, all are one, yet set to strife in weakness 
of understanding. With a blindness before their 
eyes they see not each other, neither know they what 
they do. Their guidance wants but my gentle moni- 
tion. Betime the nations so rudely act, with weapon 
in hand, it were better they were not armed at all. 
That higher attribute of man, social culture, sub- 
ordinated to fear, the moral coward arms against his 
neighbors, causing them to arm against him; so, of 
fear, the nations arm, one and all. Is there virtue 
in fear? Let shame answer! Man fearing man? 
Nay, it is the arm; take it away. Well may justice 
trembling stand, as though its course run, viewing 



ACT I 15 

enactures of shame when the supreme statute of 
the land is the biggest gun and the orator of the 
day is a tongue of flame." 

Avarice. "Thy Worship, hear these strange words 
and such manner of witness. Deign we lend ear to 
such carping? Material things, we call for mate- 
rial things; we care not for the shadow, give us 
the substance, that our hearts may fill and swell, 
and leap as the roe. Pass to us, my bosom friend. 
Greed and I, the scepter to rule the heart of man, 
that all may go well. We more serenely would 
speak of Time. 'Tis in her environs we profit great- 
ly, even though we elevate man by practice at the 
sword. Is it not of his own delight that he would 
thus practice? See how quickly he leaps when my 
friend, Greed, but points the chance. Be there not 
gain in each conflict, else why go they to war? 
What of it though we. face the charge that Time 
has set to covet the souls of man, do we not greatly 
glory and multiply in our gain? Has not Time 
also set the different units of man about the sev- 
eral parts of earth, and drawn her own battle plans? 
Has not Ancient Custom set up her venerable laws?" 

Mercy. "Thy Worship, I, too, am a subject of 
Peace. To her worthy claims would lend my life. 
Her protection I crave with an innermost longing. 
The wisdom of her rule consumes me with a halo 
that is warmed by the touch of Divinity. Her pow- 
er is supreme among angels, devils at her tread 
tremble. Yea! even the bane of war seeks a solace 
in sympathy. Ah, can it be that damnable custom 
so warps reason and snarls the fiber of conscience 
that the will trunkles an evil as a thing of glee? 



i6 THE CROWNING 

Life, that fount from which springs endless change, 
is held by divine canon to be a property exempt from 
traffic, and he who would mortgage in bond, sell 
to slaughter and brand with death, stands charged 
at the eternal bar of justice with a major crime 
whose penalty is hell's most hideous reckoning. 
Eternity insufficient, croaching upon time, unseen 
demons haste to tear away the bars from conscience, 
and, vulture-like feast upon the cankerous soul. 
Mental sentries chilled with fear the wretched vic- 
tim cries his crime aloud." 

Jealousy. Thy noble Worship, hear not the 
prayer of fair Mercy. Her silken tongue would 
call down the gods to wreck our ancient altars, that 
we worship not at thy throne. To rule the heart 
of man, — I the right and lay my claim." 

Love. *'Thy words, oh Jealousy, sting me to 
the heart. Ruled thou the heart of man, life would 
be a flame of bitterness consuming beauty all, earth 
a blackened waste. Temperance weeps when fools 
rush in; to public weal give there a heed. Crazed 
with madness passion leads but to ruin." 

Lie. "Your great and noble Worship, I would 
humbly come to thee with the important informa- 
tion that our glorious country at this moment is 
threatened by a secret enemy. My emissaries are 
in all lands, secretly gathering the enemies' plots and 
intrigues. They would take us at their advantage, 
steal upon us as a thief, and overthrow our insti- 
tutions and make of our people slaves. Why then 
listen to the idle prattle of Peace, Love and Mercy 
when our shores are thus threatened?" 

The Court. ''Has the enemy a just complaint?" 



ACT I 17 

Lie. "He has not, your Worship. He threats 
our soldiers who are taking his country by con- 
quest; ay, conquest the noblest of all titles." 

The Court. "Call hither Honest Toil to receive 
my commands." 

(Honest Toil appears, dressed as ordinary la- 
borer.) 

The Court. "Honest Toil, our possessions are 
threatened. Our pride and dignity must not be 
lowered. Start the factories of arms and muni- 
tions of war. Call thy sons together by legion and 
in their hands place the sword. We must be pre- 
pared." 

Toil. "I obey." 

(With a low and humble bow Toil retires to 
obey orders.) 

Peace. "Again plead I the right to that throne. 
These sons of Toil thou wouldst call together and 
set to destruction are my subjects. Thy orders but 
mislead and blind them. Thou art, oh Court of 
Public Opinion, vilely influenced by these vipers, 
Lie, Jealousy and Greed. Those thou wouldst call 
enemies are but other noble sons of Honest Toil, 
blindly urged on by other members of that wicked 
family — Lie, Jealousy and Greed. Knowest thou 
not that in Honest Toil thou but set brother to 
kill brother? Enemies sayest thou? There are no 
enemies; let the name die; 'tis but the act of man 
prodded from the heart by Jealousy and Greed. 
They fever the brain and blind understanding." 

Jealousy. "Your Worship, this flighty one at- 
tests herself to perjury, and we demand that she be 
thrown in chains before she traitors our courageous 



i8 THE CROWNING » 

armies and betrays our glorious country to ruin." 
The Court. "I command the service of Honest 
Toil." (Toil appears.) 

The Court. "Honest Toil, this one among us 
appears to be a stranger and an evil person. I 
command thee to place her in chains." 

(Toil chains the hands and arms of Peace.) 
Love. "Knowest thou not thee violate the divine 
rights of Peace? Those heavenly gifts accorded her 
by the gods before the worlds were? She it is who 
gives me strength, life and light through all my 
years. Oh mighty Court, hear my prayer. Grant 
Peace her rightful seat in the heart of man. With 
her dethronement death cuts me down, I bleed and 
die." 

Slander. "Your Worship, these pretenders are 
without a history, a record or a great name. Their 
origin is questionable, low and base. Dignity would 
not stoop to their association. Let us haste to the 
higher things of Court." 

Reason. "Still thy vile words. Slander. Thy 
slimy tongue hisses venom of a reptile that blights 
and withers the name of decency. Were thee wiser 
thy counsel in silence thou wouldst keep. And thou, 
too, oh Public Opinion, calm thyself. Thou art 
goaded on by Greed, and thy brain is much over- 
heated by Jealousy and Lie. Hark to the counsel 
of Reason, and let thy action be guided in the 
ways of wisdom. If another have a grievance it is 
wise to weigh his claim. The great law of jus- 
tice is to give as thou wouldst receive. This law 
drives away the clouds of doubt and grief. In all 
its way there Is a breadth to wisdom; a depth with- 
al, a foundation immutable. When the family of 



ACT I 19 

man, tree-like, suffers a branch, it mourns a loss 
of vitality in the whole. Double fool is he who 
would call down the lightning to wither a member 
of this family of branches and damage the flow of 
life in the whole. Prosper not the nations to great- 
er thrift by lifting higher the life of each the other .^ 
Hark the difference in the music of commerce and 
the din of war. Angels sang at the birth of 
Charity." 

Greed. "We rise to a point of order. It is 
nowhere written in all the history of our ancient 
custom where this intruder, Reason, were permit- 
ted to criticise thy Worship's dictates. With an 
outlandish impudence he would chasten even thy 
holy Worship. We demand that his just dues be 
served him in a prison cell, and we pray thy Wor- 
ship that on the morrow, at the hour of Court, 
as a warning to the future that such manner of in- 
sult be never again repeated, thou, oh Court, require 
his head, severed from his body, brought before this 
august body of councillors on a golden platter. Let 
us feast our eyes upon the last of such a wretch, that 
our hearts may be filled with happiness and sweet 
contentment." 

The Court. "By order of this august Court of 
Public Opinion thy request is hereby granted. On 
the morrow the head of Reason shall be brought be- 
fore this body of wise councillors as a token that 
forever afterwards his insolence shall not disturb 
our wise deliberations in times of stress and trou- 
ble. My laws have stood supreme for ages, they 
shall not be violated by this impostor. Reason. Duty 
guards; Reason to the prison cell." 

(The two guards who have thus far stood by the 



20 THE CROWNING 

Court step quickly forward, and seizing Reason 
violently they bind him with cords and drag him 
from the stage. While this is being done, Love 
and Mercy step quickly to the seat of Human Heart 
and drape it in black. All this while the stage lights 
are dimming darker and the curtain goes down. As 
the lights begin to dim when the Court has ordered 
the guards to bind Reason, the Devil (a character 
dressed in red to represent the devil) appears from 
the left bearing a tray of wine, and serves a glass 
each to Avarice, Greed, Jealousy, Slander and Lie.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 

Time — Court hour the following day. 

Place — Same Hall — Temple of Public Opinion. 

The same scenery is used throughout this act, 
except the table on left. In place of the long table 
two small wine tables are used. The throne, tables 
and entire setting are moved farther back from the 
footlights. To the left of the room there is ar- 
ranged a small council or private room, with front 
exposure. Curtain rises with Greed and Jealousy 
seated at a wine table in this council room, the 
main hall empty. Greed and Jealousy are plotting 
to bring about a general war in order that Jealousy 
may satisfy some grievance and Greed make a big 
lot of money as the result of conditions of war. 

Greed. "Yea, fair Jealousy, thou hast spoken 
wisely. Can we but sway the Court to our cause 
and bring about a general and glorious war, thou 
canst send Toil and his sons of labor against thine 
enemies and reap sweet vengeance. Thy beautiful 
pride shall shine as never before, when thine ene- 
mies are at thy feet humble in the dust of humilit}\ 
Let Toil and his sons slay their workingmen, and 
cut off their proud support. Destroy their sustenance 
and their laboring men and the world is ours. Our 
faithful Toil and his sons have never deserted us in 
our cause for war, especially when we get a favor- 

21 



22 THE CROWNING 

able decision from our favorite Court of Public 
Opinion. But mark ye fair Jealousy, mark ye well, 
we must keep Toil well away from that dangerous 
character, Reason. The cause of war is ruined for- 
ever if Reason and Toil get acquainted. Thy hap- 
piness, dear Jealousy, would go down in ignoble dis- 
aster, and my great prosperity which I have en- 
joyed for lo, these many wars in which we have 
had fools kill each other, would end in ruin and 
cease forever." 

Jealousy. "Be of good cheer, Greed, brace thy- 
self with another glass of wine. Didst thou not 
call for the head of Reason on yesterday, and didst 
not the right royal and generous Court of Public 
Opinion set this day on which to grant thy re- 
quest? Then thou this day revert his memory to 
that word of promise. The royal word of Public 
Opinion is supreme law. Yea, thy wish shall be 
granted this day. Let not trouble enter thy brain. 
Greed, that we win our suit for war, fear not. Re- 
member our noble servant, ay, I should say our 
noble attorney, in fact, at law, the great Mr. Lie. 
He hath made for himself a famous record in the 
trial courts for war. 'Tis his beautiful eloquence 
that hath ever swung the Court to our favor. Upon 
his priceless pleading we rest our cause. Ay, again 
I say — Greed, grasp cheer. Our Mr. Lie fails not 
to win in the Court of Public Opinion. Swaj^ed 
easily that Court as a reed in the wind, and has 
few moral supports to hold it up. Forsooth this 
Court amuseth me overmuch, his manner of spew- 
ing out spleen for wisdom." 

Greed. "Hark! the bell, the hour draws to hand, 
proceed to Court." 



ACT II 23 

The Court enters preceded by the same two 
guards, who stand at attention while the Court 
ascends to his seat and then resume their places at 
right and left of the throne. Love and Mercy 
enter unattended, resuming their former places. 
Next to enter is Greed, taking plenty of time to seat 
himself, looking scornfully at Love and Mercy. 
Jealousy now enters on the arm of Lie. Honor next 
enters from the other side. Last of all Slander 
comes moping in and takes her seat. Toil now 
appears, but on the opposite side of throne from 
where he appeared in Act I. In the same attire, 
but now with a sw^ord buckled on, he remains stand- 
ing at the elbow of Greed. Reason does not appear 
in this or any subsequent Act. 

The order of entry of the above characters should 
be slow and deliberate, as representing the ap- 
proach to the question of war. 

Lie rises first, addressing the Court with much 
gusto. 

Lie. "May it please thy ancient and noble Wor- 
ship, thou whom hast held in the scales of justice 
the destiny of many nations, we come to thee to 
plead for war. We proudly point thy Worship to 
the great fact that war builds up a country, in^ 
creases its glory, and makes of its subjects heroes. 
At this very hour the dignity of thy realm is en- 
croached by an enemy. Diplomacy faileth, to treat 
fairly they scorn. They will not grant our de- 
mands. Grant us the sword with them to deal." 

Mercy. "Your Worship, I pray thou consider 
ere thou wouldst extend the sword. Wherever the 
sword hath written its hand it hath condemned it- 
self. War breeds war, seeds sown in blood, reaped 



24 THE CROWNING 

in death. There are centuries unborn with their 
hosts of souls whose silent voices cry from the 
Womb of Time — 'Stay the hand of war.' Patented 
to such vastness in volume of worth in its authori- 
tive diction, and sanctified to such divinity of mis- 
sion, life is guarded by the jealous eye of Deity 
and hungered for in hell. Woe is to him, bloody 
woe, who snaps that flame ! War, thy name is mur- 
der! Even upon the grounds sacred to hope, hon- 
esty holds the key to happiness. A dearth of prin- 
ciple brings poverty to the soul. 'Tis charity that 
marks man from devil!" 

Lie. ''Words of danger, your Worship, words 
of danger. At purpose this wicked Mercy would 
destroy noble manhood, reduce courage to a weak- 
ling, stifle ambition, and place man at the will of 
savagery. Let the records of the past bear witness. 
It is not written that war has ever crushed out the 
wrong and cowardly, and raised man to a higher 
and nobler station? Shall we disgrace the heroes of 
the past and from the scrolls of fame erase their 
sacred names?" 

Honor. "Empty words, your Worship, empty 
words; they savor much of vanity. Far nobler the 
courage born of mercy than the pomp of ambition 
that levies tribute in death. Has not man to man 
each a sacred part inviolate? Each his due, touch 
not, ay, rather respect and extend therein protec- 
tion. In this true heroes are born whose fame 
can never die. The hero of war is but a moment's 
span, the hero of peace immortal. Each lending 
help to the other, grant the peoples of the earth 
their allotted part and dispute no more. Therein 



ACT II 25 

is man raised to a happier state, and not in war's 
vain claim to empty dignity. Shall their dust suf- 
fer again? Wouldst thou build a higher plane 
upon the dead? No, there is no higher plane in 
war. None but the savage and the brute, unlearned 
in wisdom's ways, covet and seize the rightful share 
belonging to another. Conquer thyself if thou 
wouldst close the mouth of thine enemy's cannon. 
Yea, tarnished is thy name, oh Pride, when cor- 
roded with the blood of a fellow-man. Humanity 
loves a ruler, a peer to look up to and follow, re- 
posing trust; a sub-god, collector of fear and hom- 
age. It has ever been thus. Puny the difference 
whether patterned in law or in birth, the right to 
rule attaches the very soul of trust. Within the 
law or without, it differs not; greater the woe, 
doubly told, to him who ravishes that holy of holies, 
the corporate right of power to sway the destiny of 
a nation. All crime is a common article in the 
scales of justice, weighed to retribution according to 
bulk. Wretch of wretches is he who sells a nation 
to satisfy ambition! Happy his soul were life long 
enough or even death potent to purge away the 
blood, the tears and moans, but alas, Sharon's 
course is set too swiftly toward the shores of the 
burning sands." 

Jealousy. "Hear not this prating. Honor, your 
Worship, he but weaves an airy fabrication to wrap 
himself therein. He loves not truth." 

Honor. "Truth, oh Jealousy, sayest thou? Truth 
is the enemy of war. Truth but needs release from 
her century-fixed cell, the bars of custom broken 
down. With prison guards about Truth, fame 



26 THE CROWNING 

• 

gained, sickens in the gaining, withers and dies. Old 
forms that were, in hatred vile, old theories, customs 
and habits in ignorance breed ; incubators of oppres- 
sion, hatcheries of despots, loving darkness to color 
their deeds, will crumble to earth and go everlasting- 
ly down. Hark the stroke in yonder tower; mark 
well that knell; 'tis the despot's life ebbing to the 
flow of the school bell. The hand of Prudence 
rings." 

(At this point the devil gets busy, serving wine 
to his side of the hall. All drink, including Hon- 
est Toil, Love and Mercy looking on.) 

Slander. "Hear Honor not, your noble Wor- 
ship, he bears himself badly of repute." 

Mercy. ''Still thy tongue, Slander; of thee is 
naught of good." 

Lie. "I again most profoundly appeal thy Wor- 
ship, let these trifling babbles cease. Grant us war. 
Thy name has been blasphemed. Thine enemies call 
thee a weakling and a knave." 

Court. ''Lie, thou movest me much. My inner- 
most passions thou stirrest greatly with thy words." 

Greed. "Wouldst it please thy august Worship, 
one little trifle I would call to thy memory." 

Court. "Speak on. Greed." 

Greed. "On the yesterday thou gavest this coun- 
cil in promise the head of Reason." 

Court. "Spoken in good time. Greed, thy will 
greatly pleases this Court." (Turning to Toil) 
"Toil, repair to the dungeon and bring hither the 
head of Reason." 

(Toil retires, Love and Mercy kneel at the draped 
throne of the human heart. Peace, who has not 
before appeared in this Act, enters, her hands yet 



ACT II 27 

in chains and draped in a veil of mourning, she 
kneels pleading at the throne of power. The devil 
gets busy with the wine.) 

Peace. "I pray thy Worship, thou, oh Court of 
Public Opinion, who ruleth in these great halls of 
power, spare the sword. Grant not war to Greed 
and Lie. Where the herald brain of man? Chaffy 
stuff! Murder honorable? Blandishment of 
vanity! Seasoned quiblets! Pride! Destruction! 
Fob on it! Where falls heaviest the iron hand of 
war? At the mansion's portal? Nay! 'tis at the 
cabin door." 

(A shot fired in back, and Toil appears with 
a platter upon which is the head of Reason, — a 
plaster replica, headdress and all, of the original 
Reason. He places it on a stand before the Court, 
who becomes greatly excited, jumping to his feet, 
shoving Peace to one side, drawing his sword and 
raising it above his head, he thus speaks:) 

Court. "By the royal authority of the great 
Court of Public Opinion, and over the bleeding 
head of Reason, I declare war. Honest Toil, 
gather thy sons together and hie thee to the battle- 
field." 

(Toil draws his sword, and waving it above his 
head he thus addresses the Court:) 

Toil ''In the name of patriotism, thy com- 
mands shall be obeyed." 

(Toil turns about and takes a step as though to 
proceed to carry out this order, when he beholds, 
suspended in front of and above him — in electric 
letters — the words — "Thou shalt not kill.") 

CURTAIN 



ACT III 

Time — Month later 
Place — Battlefield 

In this act the scenery should represent a battle- 
field after a battle. The scene is laid in an open 
at the edge of a forest, showing a few trees of the 
forest on one side of the battlefield. On the field 
is seen the wreck of war — a mounted cannon with 
one wheel shot away, guns strewn around, and four 
or five dead soldiers. Anything suggestive of 
wreckage, such as discarded equipment, may be used ; 
however, the dead soldiers are very necessary. The 
essential point is to convey as forcibly as possible the 
wreckage of battle. Before the curtain rises the 
sound of battle is heard in the distance. Many shots 
of different tone are fired, lasting for tw^o or three 
minutes. The bugle is heard giving orders. The 
shots are more numerous at times, finally becoming 
less frequent and tapering down to occasional shots, 
ceasing entirely as the curtain begins to ascend. The 
soldiers are scattered over the field as though just 
shot down. The time of battle is in the evening 
twilight and the lights are quite dim, remaining so 
throughout the act. The curtain rises slowly to low, 
sad strains. On the rise of the curtain the devil, fork 
in hand, accompanied by Death with a scythe, is seen 
28 



ACT III 29 

crossing the field at a distance. Toil is seen directing 
the removal of the bodies by the Red Cross. This 
work, taking some time, is accompanied by a low 
dirge by the orchestra. The intent here is to por- 
tray actual field work after a battle. A first aid 
nurse is seen attending a wounded soldier. As the 
last body is being removed the music ceases, and 
Peace, heavily draped in mourning, hands yet 
chained together, appears, and kneeling before Toil 
with uplifted hands thus speaks: 

Peace. "Oh Toil, thou for ages has executed 
the blackest plots of kings and rulers and hast 
sold thy sons in slaughter. But for thee, this earth 
would not be reddened with the life-blood of these 
forms. Toil, 'tis thy well-meant but mighty arm 
that strikes the dagger blow that sends death and 
famine through the land. The shame be upon thine 
own head. No war drum could beat nor cannon roar 
wouldst thou but say *No.' Thy masters. Greed 
and Jealousy, twan demons, feed thee with mad- 
ness and cloud thy brain with anger. They pour 
out thy soul and drink as wine. Of this infamy 
thy sons know^ not the right or wrong; they are 
driven in hordes to slaughter their kind. I am thy 
true friend, oh Toil, hear Peace. Who marks 
down the price of human flesh as tainted meat to 
be torn into dirty chunks and thrown upon the 
sullen ground.'' Is the life-blood of man a filthy 
swill, a thing of gross and slime, fit only to fat the 
worms of earth? Is the heart of man a pouch of 
poison to thus be poured to such reckless waste? 
Is this the vulgar worth of it all? Words, words! 
Ye everlasting gods give me words! — Slashed, 



30 THE CROWNING 

crushed, ripped, torn, mangled, strangled, murdered ! 
Yes, that's it! By the eternal heavens — murdered! 
Where the mother's loving prayer, tear and tender 
care that nursed that babe to manhood's pride? Is 
this the end of her joy and pride, — a platter of hash 
fitten for hell? Tell me, oh saints of grace, does 
man do this thing clamoring for the sanction of 
heaven? Ah, fallen angel, the depth of that plunge 
that carried man from Mercy! 'Tis in thee, oh 
Toil, only in thee, that man can rise again. The 
toilers of man mark the standard of the land." 

Toil. "Peace, be still. Is it not the dignity of 
my country I defend? The gods above I pray to 
lead my armies." 

Peace. "Slander not the gods with such wricked 
manner of prayer, thou but revealest the weakness 
of thine own heart. Wouldst thou measure the 
will of the gods by thine own sordid desires? Spare 
heaven the disgrace; ask not the gods to play at 
man's wicked game of war. There is in man that 
property called self; that set aside, and the true 
worth of the object assured, the soul seeks the will 
of God: this is the essence of prayer. Hell's pur- 
suit ends where self is left off. Oh would to high 
Jehovah that that thing we call blessing were of 
its glitter stripped and in its nude set upon the 
proper pedestal, that golden statue we call content- 
ment. Thus man could dissever the false from the 
true. It is waste that breeds want; he who would 
squander life is King of Prodigals." 

Toil. "Knowest thou not that we are sur- 
rounded by enemies?" 

Peace. "Enemies are but imaginary beings con- 



ACT III 31 

jured up by a diseased brain. Those beings over 
there that thou art shooting down are thy fellow 
laborers, led on like thyself by falsehood, driven 
like dogs under the leash of fear." 

Toil. "Peace, thy face Is comely and fair to 
look upon; thy eyes would seem to bespeak a noble 
heart; perchance thy ways of merit bear, ay, this 
I know not. I beseech thee. Peace, entreat me not. 
The ancient law of custom hath set man's arbitra- 
ment In the sword; in this Is gained both justice 
!\nA vengeance." 

Peace. **The sweetness of vengeance but turns 
to gall; he who seeks It seeks his own peril. He 
who cuts away the flow of life, as a tree hewn down 
before it gains Its fruitage, will live to suffer in his 
own want and sicken at the memory of that which 
he can never restore. From thy brain, oh Toil, 
cast this cloud of error, and break the chains that 
bind my hands. Give back my throne, oh Toil, in 
the heart of man ; I build my cities beautiful in the 
land ; In me my children are happy and valorous, 
and their hand lifted strong to heaven. Authority 
Is the product of necessity, intent to public weal; 
the level of ruler is the station of servant. Gilded 
with power, forgetting his sphere, the servant oft 
becomes master, even to oppression. Sick indeed 
is that land whose ruler values not temperance. 
Servant master, master servant, power perverted, 
over-ruled, under-served, Peace in chains, the world 
staggers crazlly on." 

(At this juncture, with Peace still kneeling to 
Toil, a little girl, shabbily dressed, is seen slowly 
approaching Toil.) 



32 THE CROWNING 

Toil. "How now, my little fairy, who art thou, 
and why here on a field of battle? Whence comest 
thou and what is thy name?" 

Girl. "I am the little daughter of Reason. I 
come from the home of Love." (Toil draws back 
in terror.) "Love sent me here to forgive thee the 
horrid crime of killing my father. I forgive thee. 
Honest Toil, I forgive thee; Love said that thou 
only obeyed the words of the Court of Public Opin- 
ion, and knew not the terrible sin thou wert com- 
mitting." 

Toil. "Well, well, my little girl, thou art kind 
of heart. But come, there are soldiers around here 
and thou must be going. Lay not thy course in the 
path of fate, that thy ways may be amended before 
too late. Fate corrects no errors. Now run along." 
(Girl makes no effort to go.) 

Girl. "Art thou a soldier, Honest Toil?" 

Toil. "Yes, yes, I am a soldier, now run along." 

Girl. "Soldier; a soul stripped of self, a gem of 
brightest hue, yet shedding thy luster upon an un- 
holy cause." 

Toil. "Come now, little fairy, thou must be 
going. There is war here." 

Girl. "I know there is war here. All little 
children know there is war here. Their little ach- 
ing hearts tell them there is war here; their little 
hungry mouths tell them there is war here; their 
little ragged bodies tell them there is war here; 
their sick mothers tell them there is war here, the 
empty chairs their fathers used to sit in tell them 
there is war here. Why, oh Toil, dost thou make 
little children suffer in war?" 



ACT III 33 

Toil. "Come now, child, this is an ill place for 
Reason's child; hie thee away, be gone." 

Peace. *'Not the strong, perchance, in wisdom's 
waj s best lead, but he of better thought. I will take 
the child back to Love. The world hasn't passed 
its school-boy days; the follies of youth still abound. 
It will ever thus be so 'till heaven sends wisdom to 
the masses and the nations of earth face around. 
Come with me, my child." 

(The child goes to Peace but both remain on the 
stage. As the child steps to Peace, she addresses 
Toil.) 

Girl. ''Honest Toil, as I came I saw a wounded 
soldier by the way. He suffers much. As I have 
forgiven thee, will it not please thee to lend him 
aid?" 

Toil. "Thy will be done. Orderly, send out a 
squad and bring hither the wounded soldier who 
lies by the way." 

The wounded soldier is dragged from among 
the timber and placed upon the stage (spot-light). 
The soldier bringing him in draws back in surprise 
as he views the face of the wounded man, and ex- 
claims : 

Soldier. "This is one of the enemy I shot this 
morning while scouting in the wood. For him my 
heart is filled with sorrow. When he fell he smiled, 
but ah, that sad, sad smile. 'Twill linger in my 
memory 'til my dying day. He saw upon my coat 
a union emblem, and turned his head with that 
sad, sad smile. Though he lives in another land 
we belong to the same union. May God forgive 
me that which I have done." 



34 THE CROWNING 

The wounded soldier struggles to his elbow, and 
drawing from his pocket a card, exclaims: 

Wounded Soldier. ''Yes, the same union. Here 
is my card and with it my dying request. Take this 
card to my wife and children and tell them I have 
gone to join a union whose members do not kill 
each other." 

(Dropping back, he dies.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT IV 

Time — After the war 

Place — Court of Public Opinion 

In this act the same scenery is used as in Act 
II. The arrangement of the throne, tables, chairs 
and side room is the same. The curtain rises with 
Greed and Avarice seated at a wine table in the 
council or side room. With bottle and glasses be- 
fore them they are discussing the results of the 
war. 

Avarice. "My heart doth leap with much joy, 
my good friend Greed, to hear thee thus speak; 
many millions of shekels thy gain, sayest thou?" 

Greed. "Many millions, dear Avarice, many 
millions. Didst thou not taste a difference, ay, even 
in thy food?" 

Avarice. "Quite so, friend Greed, quite so; but 
pray what word from our good friend Mr. Lie? 
Fareth he well?" 

Greed. "Not so well, my Avarice, not so well. 
Trouble hath overtaken our good Mr. Lie. For- 
sooth he hath a merrily bad time explaining who 
started the war." 

Avarice. "This manner of news doth afflict me 
much. I verily fear our good Mr. Lie will come 
to some inglorious end. But I pray thee. Greed, 
35 



36 THE CROWNING 

• 
say on; what glad tidings from our fair and lovely 
Slander? Heareth thou from her?" 

Greed. "Ay, with her happiness supreme; all is 
well. As the mighty rivers run to fill the hungry 
mouth of the ocean, so doth war pour out joy to 
fill the great heart of Slander. As an artist her 
excellence compromises belief. She hath painted 
black the character of every nation on the earth." 

Avarice. "And our great and true friend, the 
right royal Lady Jealousy; heareth thou glad news 
of her welfare?" 

Greed. "Of the fair Lady Jealousy sad news I 
bear, dear Avarice, sad news. It doth appear that 
while riding in her royal carriage she became exposed 
to a severe and chilling breeze of truth, and sickened 
of a cold and is now bedridden and suffers much." 

Avarice. "And our accomplished and accommo- 
dating colleague, his Royal Highness, the Devil; 
heareth thou of him?" 

Greed. "A plenteous harvest reaped he, dear 
Avarice, a plenteous harvest. Neither thou nor I, 
dear Avarice, can surpass his thrift in war. With 
a mighty shout hell roars with joy at those pregnant 
words, 'We declare war.' " 

Avarice. "And Pride; heareth thou of him?" 

Greed. "At the beginning Pride rides well and 
manly, but not long. He gives not of himself a 
good accounting. His colors soon lower, and with 
drooping spirits he sulks back to camp. War of 
all, for Pride to play, is the least wise game." 

Avarice. "Forget not the wine, friend Greed, let 
thy heart to be of strong cheer, for again this 
day the Court hath itself in session and the hour 
draweth nigh." 



ACT IV 37 

Greed. "Very true, friend Avarice, very true. 
This day we again hail the great Court of Public 
Opinion, but nay, dear Avarice, not the good old 
cheer of those halcyon days long gone; ay, even now 
my conscience bespeaketh me in much trembling 
of our accounting." 

Avarice. "Is not the Court yet our friend?" 

Greed. "Changeable, dear Avarice, changeable. 
In all the world there is found no Court which 
taketh to itself to change more quickly or on less 
provocation. Ay, to-day the fair Peace renews her 
suit for the Court's affections, and I fear we bear 
ourselves, good Avarice, in great want. Of the 
able pleadings of the masterful Mr. Lie we are 
shorn." 

Avarice. "Good cheer, Greed, good cheer; the 
demon Want his hand upon our rights shall never 
lay. The bell strikes the hour." 

(As the hour of Court is announced by the bell, 
the Court, in all his gorgeousness, enters and 
ascends the throne of Public Opinion. He is at- 
tended by two guards, who take up their former 
positions on his right and left. Greed and Avarice 
first appear, and occupy their accustomed places. 
Love and Mercy enter supporting Peace between 
them, and lead her to the seat formerly occupied 
by her. Peace's hands are still chained and her 
head and shoulders draped in mourning. Love and 
Mercy resume their former seats in Court. Next, 
Honor is seen entering, accompanied by a myste- 
rious person dressed as a woman in black, heavily 
veiled. Honor resumes his former seat, while the 
mysterious person takes the seat formerly occupied 
by Reason, near the side of Peace. The little 



38 THE CROWNING 

daughter of Reason now enters, walks to the throne 
and kneels at the feet of the Court, and with up- 
lifted hands she prays:) 

Girl. "Oh, God, may this Court render, as he 
would receive, justice to those who come before 
him." 

( She then takes her seat at the feet of the Court. 
Peace rises first.) 

Peace. "Your Worship, I have come again to 
this, the highest Court under the dome of Heaven, 
to pray thee grant me in justice my rightful seat 
in the heart of man. In the reign of Peace alone 
is there true happiness. Ay, yonder planets would 
leave their orbs had they not my laws. The heavens 
are my witness and all nature swears to my title. 
Grant my prayer, oh Court of Public Opinion, that 
man's days may be happy in the land." 

Greed. "Thy Worship, we would approach thee 
on bended knees with the profoundest humility, only 
to call thy gracious attention to the all-important 
fact that there are other claimants to the seat in 
the heart of man. Overtaken by sickness and 
weighed down with melancholy, the fair damsels, 
Jealousy and Slander, find themselves unable to 
honor this Court with their gracious presence. We 
pray thee postpone thy decision on this momentous 
question 'til future time, when perchance oppor- 
tunity may lend fair favor to these worthy claim- 
ants." 

Honor. "Thou, oh Court of Public Opinion, 
who hath ruled in these halls of power for ages, 
knowest this to be but a trick at law of Greed; at 
the bar of justice he hath ever cried, 'Procrast, 



ACT IV 39 

procrast.' Honor calls upon thee in the name of 
unborn millions — grant the petition of Peace. The 
guiding star of the universe points her to that seat. 
Here are her witnesses, Merc}^ and Love, seraphims 
from the gates of Paradise standing at thy feet 
to swear for Peace. Ponder well, once and for- 
ever, oh mighty Court. Fawn not at the tattle of 
Greed's pleasant tale, 'tis but a phantom seen only 
in a dream. Where the ear but in thee, oh Court, 
that gives market to his chaffy pleading? Wrong 
right wrong. ^ Nay, drop not thy soul to worship 
at the feet of murder. A newer day is dawning, 
oh Court, a brighter beam thwarts the morning 
sky. Searching for its boundary lines the mind of 
man discovered infinity, whose weird vastness stag- 
gers, yet daunts not the will. Delving on in bound- 
less obscurity, each day a jewel uncovered, each 
day distance gained, anon will be reached that price- 
less one, the brotherhood of man to man." 

Court. "Be there under the heavens, among 
men or devils, one strong enough to break those 
chains and place Peace upon the throne? Be there 
a protector mighty enough, who down the ages can 
protect her sovereign right? If such there be, this 
Court swears, by both Time and Eternity, this 
crown she shall forever wear." 

(The Court stands while making this speech, 
and with his last word indicates a white crown 
before him. As the Court ceases speaking, the lone, 
black, mysterious person who has remained sitting 
quiet all the while rises, and quickly throwing off 
all disguise reveals Honest Toil. Stepping quickly 
to Peace, Honest Toil breaks the chains that bind 



40 THE CROWNING 

her hands, and tearing away the mourning about 
her, he takes her by the arm and leads her to the 
throne in the human heart and places her upon 
it. (The throne has in the meantime been un- 
draped by Love and Mercy.) Placing Peace in the 
chair, Toil turns to the Court, who presents him 
with the crown with these words:) 

Court. "Thou, oh Toil, of all the world art 
the only power that could break those chains. Thou, 
oh Toil, of man or devil art the only hope of Peace 
for the nations of earth. Guard well thy trust, oh 
faithful Toil." 

(Toil turns to Peace and places the crown upon 
her head, and raising his hand to heaven he 
swears:) 

Toil. "May the gods rend asunder the heavens 
and blot out yonder sun, and may they pour out 
fire upon my head if I ever forget my loyalty to this, 
the queen of queens, the hope of the world." 

(As these words are being spoken by Toil, there 
appear upon the stage craftsmen of different occu- 
pations, throwing down their guns. Farmers, mer- 
chants, sailors, etc. Characters in work dress cross 
the stage, and throw down their guns as they pass 
on as though going from war to their homes and 
civil pursuits.) 

CURTAIN 



